The latest clash between former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook topped the midweek NBA ratings.
Oklahoma City’s blowout win was the most-watched NBA game on cable since Cavaliers-Warriors on Martin Luther King Day (2.8M).
Earlier in the night, Wizards-Sixers had a 0.8 and 1.2 million (-31%).
On ESPN Wednesday, the double-overtime T’Wolves-Cavaliers game scored a 1.4 and 2.1 million — up 46% in ratings and 38% in viewership from last year (Clippers-Knicks: 0.95, 1.5M) and up 16% and 19% respectively from 2016 (Lakers-Cavs: 1.2, 1.8M).
The Spurs-Suns nightcap had a 0.8 (-38%) and 1.1 million (-45%). ESPN figures include streaming viewership and are compared to last year’s TV-only numbers.
Rounding out the midweek action, TNT scored a 1.1 and 1.6 million for Thursday’s overtime Celtics-Wizards game — down 19% in ratings and 23% in viewership from last year (Cavs-Thunder: 1.35, 2.1M) but up 56% and 46% respectively from 2016 (Pelicans-Thunder: 0.7, 1.1M). The Thunder-Lakers nightcap had 1.5 million (+15%).
Through Thursday, NBA games have averaged 2.0 million viewers across ESPN, ABC and TNT (+12%).
[Numbers via Programming Insider 2.7, 2.8, 2.9; ShowBuzz Daily 2.9]
